About this course

BSc (Hons) Engineering (Civil) (Top-Up) degree programme has been developed in close collaboration with the relevant teams at the University of Derby and the London College. It follows vocational approach in teaching and assessment and is informed by the local market requirements.

The focus of the programme is in the areas of hydraulics, structural design and civil engineering management.

The key features that have been adopted in the programme are:

Practical based blend of engineering theory and construction principles with strong links with local industry

Many students find the construction, project management and engineering design elements appropriate to career or work aspirations because of their practical and professionally vocational nature, specifically utilising current software and systems.

Taught by experienced professionals in the field using modern teaching learning and assessment methods providing a supportive friendly and involved student experience.

The aims of the programme are:

To provide you with an intellectually stimulating, satisfying and challenging programme of study to top-up to an honours degree level in the subject of civil engineering.

To develop a further understanding and appreciation of the process of civil engineering technical design and management.

To provide you with knowledge and skills enabling you to engage with continuing professional development and further study in the discipline of Civil Engineering.

To study the underpinning theories and develop the key principles governing “engineered” fluid flow and applying them to practical civil engineering design applications.

To develop your ability to reflect upon civil engineering in a technological, social, legal and economic context and develop practical operational knowledge in health, safety and management areas.

To develop a deep understanding, knowledge and appreciation of the: process of civil engineering technical and structural design; practice of civil engineering construction activity; and management of civil engineering projects.

To enable you to become an independent learner, developing as an individual for the rest of your life.

To provide you with a high level of competency in oral, graphical and written communication and negotiation skills and the ability to work with others

Teaching and Assessment

You will be taught using demonstrations, laboratory sessions, lectures and tutorials.

A variety of assessment methods will be used. Some modules are assessed through coursework only, others by a combination taken from portfolios of work, case studies, oral and graphic presentations, team work projects, computer testing and examinations, so providing a flexible and effective means of assessing your progress.

As a partner student you will be granted access to the University’s online learning environment ‘University of Derby Online (UDo)’. From within UDo you will be able to access the University’s Library (including an extensive range of eBooks, eJournals, audio and video resources), course resources related to your programme and your grades.

Course Entry Requirements

Higher National Diploma in Civil Engineering or related major (subject to approval) or

Foundation Degree in Civil Engineering or related major (subject to approval) or

Successful completion of two years of a degree programme in Civil Engineering showing the equivalent of 240 credit points at levels 4 and 5

AND

Evidence of the ability to study to a higher level, for example, shown by an HND or Foundation degree profile which includes some Merits and/or Distinctions, preferably in analytical units/modules

NOTE: all applications are subject to approval by the University of Derby

Careers and employability

As a graduate you'll have the knowledge and skills to start your career, as well as, the academic base for a range of careers in civil engineering and construction.

You can continue your professional development and further study in the discipline of civil engineering by taking an MSc degree in Civil Engineering and Construction Management.

What you will cover

You will study these modules:

Year 1

UNIT CODE

UNIT NAME

UNIT LEVEL

UNIT CREDIT

6EJ 500

Independent Project (Engineering)

6

40

6EJ 501

Innovation in Sustainable Engineering Design

6

20

6HX 503

Civil Engineering Management

6

20

6HX 505

Geotechnics and Utility Investigation

6

20

6HX 506

Structural Design Project

6

20

Online Application & Eligibility Assessment

Note: Please scan your supporting documents,
such as a photo, passport, visa, qualifications, references etc before starting
the application form. You will also need access to your e-mail.

Eligible Undergraduate students can apply for a tuition fee loan of up to £6,165 to cover the full cost of their annual tuition fees. A maintenance loan (for living costs) of up to £11,354 is also available. This can be used to pay for general living costs, accommodation, travel and other course related costs.

Part-time study
If you are a part-time student on a degree course you can apply for a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan. The maximum tuition fee loan you can get if you are a part-time student is £4,625 per year. The amount you get depends on the cost of your tuition fees. Your maintenance loan will be paid at pro-rata of full time study. The amount you get depends on your household income.

Repaying loans
You will not start repaying your student loans for fees and living costs until you have finished studying and you are earning over £25,000 a year. For more information visit the Direct Gov website https:// www.gov.uk/repaying-your-student-loan

Other Sources of Funding
You do not have to apply for a tuition fee loan from the Student Loans Company to fund your studies. Some students use private funding or employer sponsorship to pay for their course.

Independent Project (Engineering) [6EJ 500]

Unit type:Core

The Independent Project is a major element of any engineering degree. It provides the necessary evidence that the student can work independently, is technically competent and is hence capable of entering the world of work as a professional engineer or technologist.

The aim is to develop the student's ability to work independently, in a chosen topic, using relevant technical research and design concepts, and analytical, test, measurement and evaluation techniques, in order to produce a finished artefact or product.

The student will be expected not merely to collect, analyse and apply information, but also to exhibit other skills such as the ability to plan, manage and produce a significant technical piece of work.

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

Negotiate and execute a realistic plan to deliver to agreed project outcomes, including structured approaches to planning, investigation and research, with due regard to the constraints of time, budget and available resources.

Maintain an ongoing record, and write a substantial final analytical technical report containing an extensive critical evaluation of the methods adopted and the final outcome of the project.

Present and discuss in a viva voce setting his/her technical project in depth, clearly communicating the critical issues and key features of the project and be prepared to answer detailed questions.

Innovation in Sustainable Engineering Design [6EJ 501]

Unit type:Core

In this complex world innovation and creativity play a central role in the solution of problems in all branches of engineering. They assist engineers in finding novel, sustainable and economic solutions of all shapes and sizes from modelling bridge behaviour to predicting the functionality of embedded systems in consumer products.

This module aims to show you that an innovative and creative approach to solutions to technical engineering problems can bring value to almost any engineering activity, and how they are increasingly in demand with engineering employers. It will help you develop some advanced skills in design and innovation so that you can apply them in ‘embedded contexts’ which reflect your own engineering discipline and career development trajectory.

You will explore how successful innovations emerge and how do designers, technologists, managers and end-users create and apply new ideas and inventions. You will look at how these are translated into marketable products or processes and how you can combine commercial and competitive advantage with ensuring a socially, economically and environmentally sustainable future. You'll work on a project individually that makes use of the ideas and methods taught in the course.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:

Critically evaluate and apply appropriate innovation and creativity tools and techniques to solve a technical problem to achieve a sustainable future.

Reflect objectively on your own career aspirations and potential professional development for the next 10 years to produce a suitable output for dissemination.

Civil Engineering Management [6HX 503]

Unit type:Core

The objective of the module is to gain an understanding of the key principles of the management of civil engineering works, projects and operations. The ability to manage across a number of disciplines and functions within a civil engineering context is an essential skill for the civil engineer in a management role.

The working knowledge of all essential relevant legislation involving health and safety, sustainability, environmental, commercial and employment issues will be explored in detail. Practical business management techniques are also covered with the emphasis on understanding and applying the areas of technical compliance and financial control. A key element of the module will be the adoption of established techniques such as quality management, continuous improvement and innovation.

The module will introduce the concept of professional ethics, and the link to sustainability in construction and the investigation of existing and newly developing technologies designed to address energy demand through alternative sources.

Management of multi-disciplinary teams and organisational design will be a key feature and the module explores these issues and attempts to supply the student with the practical tools of effective organisational management and the critical evaluation techniques needed to apply them successfully.

On successful completion of the module you should be able to:

Identify and create the safety, quality and other essential components involved in the establishment of a civil engineering management system. Demonstrate the ability to apply appropriate management structures, techniques and procedures to a range of engineering, construction and operational situations.

Apply the principles of total quality management within the concept of the latest health and safety and sustainability legislation. Understanding of the requirement for engineering activities to maintain a high level of professional and ethical conduct in civil engineering.

Geotechnics and Utility Investigation [6HX 505]

Unit type:Core

Structural Design Project [6HX 506]

Unit type:Core

The module will integrate knowledge already gained from other modules. The aim is to allow you to work as part of a team, both individually and collectively, to carry out the design of a civil engineering structure. The types of structures could include bridges, retaining structures and tunnelling set within the context of a larger project. Design work will include calculations and drawings in sufficient detail to allow a tender to be obtained and construction work planned. The design and construction proposals will be presented to a client and the end of the module.

On successful completion of the module you should be able to:

Identify the advantages and restraints of working in a team.

Carry out a feasibility study for an engineering project including its environmental, financial and social impacts.

Design and present design and construction proposals for a civil engineering structure project using appropriate current standards.

Apply construction programming and cost analysis techniques to the planning of the construction phase of procurement.